Senior Living Advisor
Amy has been in eldercare since 2009, supporting unpaid Kinship Caregivers; grandparents who have taken on formal or informal guardianship of their grandchildren. Over the years, Amy cultivated profound insights into these caregivers’ intricate challenges, providing her with a unique understanding of their experiences, needs, and aspirations. Beyond her role in program development, Amy is a compassionate advocate at heart. She holds the belief that relationships are vital to supporting clients in reaching their goals.
In 2016, Amy took on the role of an unpaid Family Caregiver, caring for her aunt who had been diagnosed with dementia. Despite her background in eldercare and being surrounded by programs aimed at supporting older adults, navigating the complexities of caring and coordinating care for her aunt proved to be a monumental challenge. This firsthand experience highlighted the crucial need for compassionate and trustworthy professionals to lean on with confidence throughout the caregiving journey.
Background
Spearheaded strategic planning, development, implementation, and oversight of Snohomish County Kinship Caregiver Program, designed to support low income households raising kin-children. Fostered valuable community partnerships and collaborative relationships across various agencies and sectors. Conducted community-based research to enrich programming for Lutheran Community Services. Built out program elements including outreach, support groups, financial assistance, and tailored supports for Stillaguamish Senior Center, Arlington.
Interests
When she is off duty from serving as Board President for her HOA, Amy enjoys cooking, foraging, time with her grandchildren, and caring for her two rescue dogs, Olive and Rosemary.
Causes
Amy is deeply invested in causes promoting family well being, mental health, and trauma-informed care. Actively supporting initiatives like the Improving School Attendance Collaborative, she demonstrates a commitment to fostering understanding and equitable support for families in diverse situations. As a dedicated advocate for trauma-informed care, Amy actively participates in community education to raise awareness about the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. She extends her advocacy into family caregiving by training the trainers in Powerful Tools for Caregivers, empowering individuals with the skills to care for themselves while caring for others.
